Does dry mouth cause bad breath? There are many causes of halitosis but one thing for sure is that it is the action of bacteria in the oral cavity. What are the basic components in the mouth? Gums, soft and hard palate, tongue, saliva, and teeth – all four groups of them: incisors, canines, premolars and molars. What exactly causes bad breath to build up? Here are 10 facts you need to know about the question.
Does Dry Mouth Cause Bad Breath? Facts 1-3
1. Primarily, bad breath is known as halitosis, a medical term for bad breath. Halitosis ranges differently. It may vary from mild scent to disturbing smell. It may even go to pungently malodorous. When it comes to dry mouth, the term you would be looking for is xerostomia. It is a condition wherein there is less production of saliva.
2. One of halitosis’ direct causes is build-up of bacteria. Bacteria, such as opportunistic ones, invade the oral cavity at the slightest chance. Where do bacteria come from? It may be a resident flora of the buccal cavity (opportunistic ones), and bacteria from the food we eat.
3. How can bacteria cause bad breath? Chemical reactions can excrete a foul smell. To add, saliva helps digest food. However, if pieces of food are left in places such as between the teeth, saliva can cause it to break down and rot resulting in a foul rotting smell.
Does Dry Mouth Cause Bad Breath? Facts 4-7
4. Meanwhile, stagnant bacteria can also cause bad breath. It may allow opportunistic bacteria to invade the buccal cavity and cause bad breath. To add, stagnant saliva can even limit the production of saliva. However, when you eat, talk, or move your mouth, it stimulates the production of saliva.
5. Regarding the question: does having a dry mouth cause bad breath? It may, actually. Imagine having a dry mouth. The buccal cavity is in need of saliva to moisten the buccal cavity and soften the food as you eat. Imagine having a dry mouth. You may see cracks in your inner cheeks, and gums. You may even suffer from gingivitis. Other symptoms would include canker sores, thick saliva, and difficultly of speaking and swallowing.
6. If you have a dry mouth, food can easily break the integrity of your buccal mucosa. You may see cracks and fissures and bacteria may find it easy to invade your mouth.
7. When bacteria invade the fissures or wounds in your mouth, it may cause serious problems. You buccal mucosa might get infected, inflamed and might result in severe foul breath.
Does Dry Mouth Cause Bad Breath? Facts 8-10
8. How to not have dry mouth? Simple as it is, dry mouth is the result of dehydration. Simply sustain your body with adequate fluids and small sips of water in between.
9. Medications such as pre-operative drugs, hypertension maintenance, urinary continence medicines, allergy pills, antidepressants, and anti-parkinsons can cause xerostomia. If you’re taking any of these, it is important to supplement with fluids.
10. Brush with a soft bristled toothbrush, purchase OTC saliva substitutes, use a humidifier or breath through your nose and not your mouth. These are just some ways to lessen or palliate the effects of a dry mouth. Now, does dry mouth cause bad breath? It indeed does however there are ways to lessen the discomforts it brings.
